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Markakis drives in game-winner
Ichiro day-to-day with muscle pull
September 5, 2009
BOSTON -- It didn't start off so well but its how the game ends that counts.
After retiring the first two batters of the ballgame, Red Sox starter Josh Johnson was issued a walk, let up a single and then gave up a three-run home run to former Boston farmhand Kevin Kouzmanoff.
The bad news continued into the bottom of the first inning when leadoff hitter and centerfielder Ichiro Suzuki singled but pulled a thigh muscle in the process and had to be replaced by Delmon Young. Suzuki is listed as day-to-day but is expected to take the rest of the weekend series with the White Sox off.
Trailing 3-0 after the first inning, both teams exchanged short and scoreless half innings before the Red Sox put together a rally in the fifth.
Victor Martinez, Dan Uggla and Young led off the inning with three consecutive hits, the last of which plated the team's first run of the game. Matt Kemp grounded out, allowing Uggla to score from third, and the game was tied at three runs each after a Miguel Cabrera basehit through the right side of the infield.
Both teams were able to restrict each other's lineups over the next couple innings until Hideki Okajima took the mound for Chicago. Leadoff hitter Hanley Ramirez slapped an 0-1 fastball for a basehit and used his speed to score four pitches later on a Nick Markakis double to centerfield.
Working with a lead for the first time in the game, Boston brought in closer Joe Nathan who picked up his 33rd save on 11 pitches in a scoreless ninth inning.
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